Kimberly Schlau serves as Voices Insisting on PursuitSAFETY’s Team Leader for the Midwest. She became involved with PursuitSAFETY, a national nonprofit public safety organization, about a year after the deaths of her two oldest girls, Jessica and Kelli Uhl.

Jessica, 18, and Kelli, 13, were killed November 23, 2007, when an Illinois state trooper was driving at a reported speed in excess of 120 miles per hour to respond to a secured accident scene. He crossed over the highway median striking theirs and another vehicle.

Since their deaths, Kim has dedicated herself to preventing the same type of tragedy from striking other families. Working with PursuitSAFETY led to Kim's invitation to speak to recruits of the St. Louis County & Municipal Police Academy. Kim's presentation was graciously received as evidenced by the plaque, which reads in part "please accept our sincere appreciation for your assistance in providing insight into the human side of the training of Basic Police Recruit Class #172." Larger image of plaque.

Kim and her family attended the academy's graduation ceremony where she received this plaque. She has been invited to speak to the new recruits in December.

Kim is a paralegal by trade, writer by choice. Her main blog, Parachuting Without a Net, started out as a lunch-hour diversion, but after several personal tragedies, became a form of therapy. It is here where Kim writes about the impact of her girls’ passing, raising her youngest daughter, Madelyn, and other personal items. Sometimes poignant, often humorous, and always honest, Kim writes about her life with a voice that many can relate to. She also maintains a website dedicated to Jessica and Kelli, and contributes to Girls Guide to the Galaxy as a fashion and beauty columnist. She also is an editor for an online St. Louis women’s magazine. Her writing has lead her to take an active role as a board member for the St. Louis Bloggers Guild.

After establishing an annual fundraiser, scholarships, and several blood drives in Jessica and Kelli’s memory, she has began working with other bereaved families to help them establish memorial fundraisers and foundations in their childrens’ memories. call or send an email to Kim.

"We are hopeful that this conviction [of ex-Illinois State Police trooper Matt Mitchell] sends a message not only to all first responders and law enforcement officers, but to all drivers. Please slow down, pay attention, put down the phone and drive safely.” —Kimberly Schlau

Media Interviews
Link to these TV & radio interviews:
KSDK-TV, Channel 5, St. Louis
KMOV-TV, Channel 4, St. Louis
Fox-TV, Channel 2, St. Louis
KMOX Radio
Newpaper interviews:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Belleville News Democrat

Areas of Expertise
Freelance Writer
Assists bereaved families to help them establish memorial fundraisers and foundations in their childrens’ memories

Website and Blog
Jessica and Kelli: A Celebration of Two Lives Cut Short
Parachuting Without A Net

Memberships
St. Louis Bloggers Guild, Board Member
Focus Driven

Photo Agreement
Posted April 22, 2010
Unless you have made other arrangements with Candy Priano, this picture of Kimberly Schlau may be used only for the following reason:

Legitimate news/magazine/web stories about vehicular police pursuits, i.e., police response calls and police chases. Kimberly Schlau and her family are advocates for law and order. We are anti-crime.

Any misrepresentation of Brenda's picture, likenesses or information will be subject to the penalties of the law.

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